Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 116 - 110: Suicide Squad Assassination

Chapter 116: Chapter 110: Suicide Squad Assassination

In the Chou hour, the emperor had just fallen asleep not long ago when Sun Kui woke him up.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been attacked."

"What?" The emperor, who had just been awakened, was still a bit dazed. Upon hearing that the Crown Prince was attacked, he instantly became alert. He furrowed his brow and asked, "What happened?"

Sun Kui said, "General Shen sent someone back to report that at midnight the Crown Prince was attacked. Fortunately, the Crown Prince’s injuries are not serious." Hulong Temple is located on the outskirts of the capital, some distance away, so the news only reached the palace at the Chou hour.

The emperor frowned, and solemnly said, "Get dressed."

"Yes." Sun Kui swiftly helped the emperor change his clothes.

"To Hulong Temple."

Before waking the emperor, Sun Kui had instructed his apprentice Sun Doudou to bring Lie Huo from the stable.

When the emperor finished dressing and stepped out of his residence, he saw Lie Huo already waiting at the door. The emperor did not need to step on a person’s back or a stool; he nimbly mounted the horse.

Sun Kui also mounted his horse and followed closely behind the emperor.

Song Dekang and Zhang Gong were already waiting at the palace gate. Upon seeing the emperor ride out, they hurriedly mounted their horses and followed.

At this time, in Hulong Temple, Shen Hu and Chu Ying had already subdued all the assassins. Most of the assassins were killed by the soldiers, a small number bit open the poison hidden in their mouths to commit suicide after being captured. Three assassins didn’t have time to bite the poison and were controlled.

Shen Hu and Chu Ying interrogated the three assassins, but they said nothing. Seeing that they could not extract any information for the time being, Shen Hu ordered his men to take them away.

In the Crown Prince’s Courtyard, the Crown Prince’s injured arm had been bandaged by the Imperial Physician. The Eighth Prince’s two abdominal wounds were also bandaged, but they were very severe, and due to excessive blood loss, he would not awaken for a while. The Imperial Physician said if the Eighth Prince developed a fever, his life would be at risk.

"Did you find out anything?" The Crown Prince asked quickly when Shen Hu and Chu Ying entered.

"The assassins have not said anything yet," Shen Hu said with a serious expression, "However, Your Highness, we will surely find out who is behind this."

"How did these assassins get in with you two here?" The Crown Prince was both angry and frightened in his heart but did not vent his anger on Shen Hu and Chu Ying.

"To answer Your Highness, these assassins had been hiding in the temple for some time."

Chu Ying added, "They had been lurking in the temple before Your Highness came to Hulong Temple."

Hearing Shen Hu and Chu Ying’s words, the Crown Prince was greatly shocked, "What?"

Lv Cong, standing next to the Crown Prince, asked in astonishment, "Do you mean these assassins have been plotting for a long time?"

Chu Ying said, "It seems so."

Shen Hu said, "I asked other monks in the temple, some said these assassins entered the temple six months ago, some three months ago, and some a year ago."

The Crown Prince was once again shocked, "Did they really infiltrate for so long?!"

Shen Hu and Chu Ying exchanged glances, then respectfully said to the Crown Prince, "We never expected the assassins would be lurking in Hulong Temple for so long.

On hearing this, the Crown Prince was horrified, "Does that mean these assassins have been plotting to assassinate me for a year?"

Chu Ying replied, "Not necessarily, we cannot rule out the possibility that this assassination was a spontaneous decision."

Seeing the Crown Prince’s unease, Shen Hu reassured, "Your Highness, rest assured, we have rearranged the patrols, and no assassin will appear tonight."

Shen Hu and Chu Ying’s defense was formidable. If the assassins were to try to attack from outside the temple, it would be impossible.

"I’m troubling you both, Generals." The Crown Prince was filled with anxiety, his mind in chaos.

"Your Highness, you are too kind."

Chu Ying said, "Your Highness, I have sent someone to inform His Majesty, he should arrive at Hulong Temple soon."

"I am fine, there’s no need to disturb Father at such a late hour."

"Your attack is a major event, we must report it to His Majesty," Shen Hu apologized, "Failing to protect you is our negligence, please punish us, Your Highness."

Shen Hu and Chu Ying knelt down, and the Crown Prince hurried forward to help them up.

"Generals, you did no wrong. Who could have predicted the assassins would be from the temple? You need not blame yourselves."

"Your Highness, you should rest now, we will not disturb you further and take our leave." Shen Hu and Chu Ying withdrew.

The Crown Prince did not return to his room to rest but continued to watch over the Eighth Prince’s bedside.

"If it weren’t for my eighth brother, it would be me lying here unconscious."

Thinking of how the Eighth Prince twice disregarded his own life to shield him, the Crown Prince was deeply moved.

"Eighth Brother, you must hold on."

Lv Cong comforted the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, the Eighth Prince will definitely be fine."